It was this date, December 28, in 1895 that the Lumiere brothers premiered what is now known as the first commercial movie showing. Movie’s – or moving pictures – had been shown previously, but this was the first time that admission was charged in a theatre setting. The short film, “Workers Leaving the Lumiere Factory,” which lasted barely a minute, might seem unremarkable to the modern audience, yet it holds a pivotal place in the history of film.
The film captures a seemingly mundane scene – workers exiting the gates of the Lumière factory in Lyon, France. What makes it extraordinary is its role as one of the earliest examples of capturing real life in motion. The Lumière brothers, through this film, introduced the world to the possibility of documenting everyday occurrences, a concept that was revolutionary at the time.
Technologically, the film was a marvel for its era. Utilizing the cinematograph, an invention by the Lumière brothers that was far more advanced than previous motion picture devices, the film was able to not only record but also project moving images. This innovation laid the groundwork for the future of cinema.
The film’s content, though simple, offers a glimpse into the life of the late 19th-century working class. The flow of men and women leaving the factory reflects the rhythm of daily life during the industrial era. There is an authenticity in the unposed and spontaneous movements of the workers, providing a valuable snapshot of social history. The men, women, and even dog, shown in this short are over 125 years removed from us, but the images show them as if they were ready to walk in the front door at the end of the day. These are real people, with real lives, and real stories that we can only imagine.
While “Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory” lacks narrative complexity or character development, its significance lies in its foundational role in the world of film. It marks the transition from static photography to the dynamic medium of moving images, capturing life in a way that had never been done before.